Matthew 12:8 Meaning and Explanation
“For the Son of man is Lord even of the sabbath day.”
King James Version (KJV)
Read this verse in context with translation switching:
Read Full Chapter →Jesus claims authority as Lord over the sabbath itself.
What Does Matthew 12:8 Mean?
Jesus closes the exchange with a sweeping claim: the Son of man is Lord even of the sabbath. The title 'Son of man' carries the weight of the prophet Daniel's vision, of one given everlasting dominion. The sabbath was God's gift; the One who gives it has authority to declare its true purpose.
Because Christ is Lord of the day, he can teach how it is rightly kept. The sabbath was made for the good of God's people, and its Lord uses it to bless, to heal, and to give rest to the weary. To know him is to receive the rest the day was always meant to foreshadow, the deep rest of the soul that he alone supplies.
Matthew 12:8 in the Original Language
kurios (κύριος), 'Lord' -- one who holds rightful authority and ownership, here over the sabbath itself.
Frequently Asked Questions About Matthew 12:8
What does Matthew 12:8 mean?
Jesus claims authority as Lord over the sabbath itself.